Top 20 Best Cartoon Villains of ALL TIME

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the all-time greatest bad guys in animated TV shows.

#20: Magneto

“X-Men: The Animated Series” (1992-97)

Defined by the horrific persecution he’s faced by being both Jewish and a mutant, on paper, Magneto seems like someone who only wants the best for his kind. But when it comes to the execution, Magneto is pretty villainous. As the leader of the Brotherhood of Mutants, he’s frequently tried to wipe out the human race to propel mutants to the forefront. His violent ideology regularly put him at odds with his old friend Professor X and his team of X-Men. The beloved 90’s cartoon excelled at its complex portrayal of Magneto and his constant cruel tactics. Though he’d assist the X-Men on occasion, this was a mutant ultimately determined to bring humans and mutants to war. That makes this master of magnetism a true menace.

#19: Denzel Crocker

“The Fairly OddParents” (2001-17)

This Dimmsdale Elementary School teacher might not be a very effective villain, but his eccentricities make him incredibly iconic. Whether it’s his weird facial expressions or his passion for failing students, you just can’t forget this guy. The fact that Cosmo and Wanda used to be Crocker’s Fairy Godparents also makes his connection to the gang an incredibly unique one. He’s one of the few characters who knows that magical beings exist and that knowledge could potentially place Timmy in danger. Emphasis on the “potentially” though. His particular obsession with fairies and his subsequent plans to snatch them always comically fail. At the end of the day, the show always reminds us that Mr. Crocker’s off his rocker.

#18: Gargamel

“The Smurfs” (1981-89)

Gargamel’s got an appetite for smurfs, and that desire to eat them makes him truly horrifying. Well, that and also his appearance. We know judging books by their covers is mean but yeah this guy has a unique look to say the very least! With his pessimistic personality and manipulative ways, Gargamel is just a rotten character in general. He’s been the Smurfs’ most popular antagonist largely due to his loudmouthed nature and penchant for inventing traps. Gargamel also has knowledge in potion-making. And it’s a skill which when played right can make him go from a dunce to a danger. Whether you love or hate Gargamel, you can’t call him forgettable!

#17: Dr. Doofenshmirtz

“Phineas and Ferb” (2007-15; 2024-)

Can’t a mad scientist just conquer the tri-state area in peace?! Dr. Heinz Doofenshmirtz is the infamous archnemesis of Perry the Platypus. With his wide array of contraptions, he always seeks to plunge Danville into chaos. We’re talking about a guy who’ll seek vengeance for some of the absolute pettiest of reasons. Though he’s hardly an intimidating villain, it's his quirks that make him so legendary. The man behind “Doofenshmirtz Evil Incorporated” has no shortage of schemes that always end up failing spectacularly. Though he’s redeemed himself in the end, his comically evil antics have defined him as an amazing villain for an entire generation of fans.

#16: Darkseid

DC Animated Universe (1992-2006)

Darkseid has made his presence felt in nearly every corner of DC, and more specifically, the DCAU. Whether he’s popping up in “Superman: The Animated Series” or the “Justice League” cartoons, he brings pure destruction with him. As the tyrannical leader of Apokolips, he tends to rule with an iron fist. But this is a villain who goes beyond just having an imposing design or intimidating voice. After all, there’s a reason that the heroes and villains teamed up to stop him when he returned in the “Justice League Unlimited” finale. Darkseid might very well be DC’s embodiment of pure evil.

#15: Dr. Claw

“Inspector Gadget” (1983-85)

For as dynamic a character as Inspector Gadget is it makes sense for him to have an equally dynamic villain. Dr. Claw is an evil crime boss ruling over Metro City who plays the perfect foil for Inspector Gadget. Where Inspector Gadget might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, Dr. Claw is an incredibly intelligent adversary, which always makes for an interesting dynamic. Another thing that makes him so memorable is the fact that (at least in the original cartoon) his face is never directly shown. Instead, he’s often obscured by shadows which gives him this vibe of mysterious intrigue. Claw’s vast criminal empire, menacing voice, and sometimes comical hatred for Inspector Gadget make him a classic cartoon villain.

#14: Mojo Jojo

“The Powerpuff Girls” (1998-2005)

Mojo Jojo might not have set out to become a supervillain, but life would have other plans for the remarkably intelligent chimpanzee. After getting exposed to Chemical X, he would become one of the Powerpuff Girls’ greatest foes. His goals often involve world domination, the total destruction of Townsville, and the complete annihilation of the Powerpuff Girls. He’s not just memorable for being a super-intelligent evil chimp, though that’s certainly part of it. Mojo’s also notorious for being a bad guy who’s actually beaten the Powerpuff Girls on occasion. Not a lot of bad guys can say they got the upper hand in multiple episodes. Mojo might be comic relief at times, but at the end of the day, he’s someone who should be feared.

#13: Slade

“Teen Titans” (2003-06)

The beloved “Teen Titans” cartoon may have a sprawling collection of incredible villains, but few leave as much of a lasting legacy as Slade. Better known to DC comics readers as Deathstroke, this version of the character was modified slightly to be put into the cartoon. But don’t think that makes him any less terrifying! Slade has regularly orchestrated attacks against the Titans and nearly pushed Robin to the brink of insanity on multiple occasions. He’s been not just a lethal combatant but also a strategic genius. He’s always ten steps ahead! It makes him great for fans wanting a cool villain but seriously bad for the Teen Titans!

#12: The Lich

“Adventure Time” (2010-18)

In “Adventure Time,” Death is perceived in the form of the Lich, and he’s a terrifying sight to behold. What’s more is that this is a villain who'll stop at nothing until he destroys the world. Sure, that’s kind of a common goal for bad guys, but the Lich just has a way of standing out. Throughout the show, he’s put Jake and Finn through absolute hell and has always found a way to persist. With an immense wealth of powers and a chilling physical appearance, audiences would be right to feel scared of this guy.

#11: Bill Cipher

“Gravity Falls” (2014-16)

Demonic triangles with a wicked sense of humor might sound like a joke, but Bill Cipher can be a serious threat when he wants to. The main antagonist of “Gravity Falls” is responsible for completely transforming the titular town into his personal hellscape. He’s also the villain that can mess with your head and nothing is worse than mind games. Okay, well maybe Cipher’s ability to transform reality is technically worse, but like only by a little bit! Even the laws of space and time are more like suggestions for Bill. With powers and a personality like that, it shouldn’t really be a surprise that Bill is such a fan-favorite.

#10: Aku

“Samurai Jack” (2001-04; 2017)

The amalgamation of all the evil in the universe takes shape as a demonic-looking being with a laugh that pierces through time itself - how could he not be on this list? In the beginning, Aku was nothing but formless darkness floating through space, until three mythical Gods destroyed him. However, a small shard of his essence survived and landed on Earth, eventually taking on the form we all know and fear. He may constantly be bested by our favorite samurai, but since he holds dominion over the world, The Shogun of Sorrow is still the one holding all the cards.

#9: The Monarch

“The Venture Bros.” (2003-18)

It takes guts to draw your super villain inspiration from a butterfly, but kudos to the Venture Bros primary antagonist for pulling it off…with varying degrees of success. With a deep-seeded, obsessive hatred for Thaddeus Venture, The Monarch is the supervillain we often find ourselves rooting for due to just how pathetically incompetent he actually is. Still, for being a wimp that doesn’t exactly know that much about butterflies, he still managed to gain a group of devoted henchman, and not to mention a smoking hot yet rather gravelly voiced partner in the form of Doctor Mrs. The Monarch. Well played.

#8: Skeletor

“He-Man and the Masters of the Universe” (1983-85)

Nowadays he may be known as a comedic figure with a high-pitched voice that makes us laugh more than it strikes fear into our souls, but back in his hey-day, Skeletor was the villain’s villain. He had the evil laugh down, a host of unexplained magical powers, and a whole slew of maniacal ideas to take over Eternia. Sure, having a literal skeleton as the main antagonist is kind of cheesy, but there’s no denying his popularity as a cartoon villain. He’ll always be our favourite evil skeleton, even more so than Baron Dark! And while Hordak was a great villain in his own right, he’s still got nothing on our man Skeletor!

#7: Sheldon J. Plankton

“SpongeBob SquarePants” (1999-)

He may be smaller than everything else under the sea, but you won’t find a better source of rage, insanity and laughter than this pint-sized organism. Owner of the Chum Bucket, Plankton’s single goal in life is to steal the Krabby Patty formula from his business rival Mr Krabs so his restaurant can become a rousing success, leaving the Krusty Krab in its dust. Sadly his plans, always, always, always fail, which often just sends him into further spirals of madness and aggression, which you have to admit is often the highlight of any episode. An unappreciated shell of a sea creature with a size complex, may he never change!

#6: Shredder

“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” (1987-96)

These heroes in a half-shell have no shortage of bizarre enemies, but the most lethal among them by far is the leader of the Foot Clan; the master ninja known as the Shredder. Even in his campiest incarnation, this razor-bladed death machine proved to be just as skilled in martial arts as the turtles, besting them in battle on a few occasions. With his legion of Foot ninjas as well as his advanced technology provided by the alien tyrant known as Krang, Shredder more than earned his title as the turtles’ greatest foe.

#5: Cobra Commander

“G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero” (1983-86)

He may have a voice that could shatter glass, but he’s much deadlier than he sounds. Cobra Commander is the supreme leader of the terrorist organisation Cobra, and considering they’re responsible for every bad thing that happens in the G.I. Joe universe – that’s quite an evil accolade. Even though he tends to have his minions second guess him at every turn, and despite the fact that he was even once dethroned, there’s no one who can rock a chrome mask quite like the Commander. His plans for world domination might often be considered crazy, even by Cobra’s standard, but to be honest, that’s part of his wacky appeal. Besides, who else would think of hiding rockets within fast food restaurants?

#4: The Joker

“Batman: The Animated Series” (1992-95)

This may not be the first time that the Clown Prince of Crime graced the small screen, but many to this day still believe this to be the definitive incarnation of the iconic Batman villain. A murderous psychopath never seen without his trademark smile and laugh, this clown only exists to bring anarchy and pain to Gotham City. Obsessed with trying to bring down Batman, The Joker raised the bar for all villains everywhere with the depravity of his crimes, the genuine fear he installed in us, and the mental war he waged on Batman to try and push him over the edge. Throw in the now legendary voice-work of Mark Hamill, and you have an animated character for the ages.

#3: Fire Lord Ozai

“Avatar: The Last Airbender” (2005-08)

Avatar’s spin-off series “The Legend of Korra” gave us the stoic and terrifying villain Zaheer, he is no match for the OG Avatar villain. As the Ruler of the Fire Nation, he causes extensive suffering, which can be seen in the oppression of the Water Tribe as well as on the scarred face of his own son. And, all of that happens before he even takes centre stage as the main antagonist. Of course, things change in the finale, where he shows viewers the true extent of his ruthlessness with his plans to set fire to the entire Earth Kingdom, culminating in a legendary showdown with Avatar Aang. All hail the Phoenix King!

#2: Megatron

“The Transformers” (1984-87)

Despite his numerous incarnations over the years, the original leader of the Decepticons has endured to become a timeless villain that still holds up to this very day. A ruthless conqueror with an unquenchable thirst for power, Megatron will sacrifice whatever it takes in order to win the war against the Autobots and secure himself as the ruler of the entire universe. While a lot of villains reach for the same goal, this is the guy who can back up his claims with a zero tolerance for failure policy and a ton of firepower. There was also that one time he managed to kill Optimus Prime, so he deserves the top spot for that alone.

#1: Mr. Burns

“The Simpsons” (1989-)

For over thirty years, this malnourished, un-empathetic millionaire at the has served as Springfield’s resident antagonist. Whether it’s random acts of organised violence, theft, bribery, manipulation and probably every other criminal activity under the sun, Charles Montgomery Burns has done it several times over. He can be downright intimidating or pathetically hilarious all within the space of an episode, as he never fails to entertain. Sideshow Bob may be a fan favorite, but Burns is a threat to all of Springfield, maybe even the entire world, while Bob only ever has eyes for Bart. What is there to say except that our number one villain is nothing if not “exeeeecellent.”

Is there an amazing bad guy we missed? Share their greatness in the comments!